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Stuck in a creative rut

I've come to an almost completely standstill on my current project. I've almost run dry on any good ideas except for a few small tidbits that I can't use. I've also been struggling to find a drawing software I can actually use (I need to draw digitally so I can "zoom in" on smaller details to draw them in). My mom suggested creating a series of regular novels with my current idea instead of a comic book series, but I'm not so thrilled with the idea. Namely because I want to appeal to people who like anime and manga as well as mystery series. I've also thought about writing the first case as an animated web series script, but then I realized I'd have to pay animators, namely because I don't have enough motor skills to create animation on my own. It doesn't help that I don't have anyone to talk to in person and bounce ideas off of. I'm part of a writers' critique group, but I'm the only young person and there's only one other fantasy writer. I've wanted to start a critique group for Christian sci-fi and fantasy authors and cartoonists in my area, but I don't know where to begin. Any advice on anything I mentioned above?

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  • +1 Brian's recommendation for using some sort of vector software. Vector art is more like sculpting than drawing and is more natural with a mouse. It gives a crisp line and can be resized all you want.

  • In regards to yesterdays, I'm sure there are people who are kinder or sweeter, though I have been there as some here I'm sure have. If you need to talk and I'm online, I don't mind.

  • I just read through some of your old posts. You've come a long way. I mean from bad thoughts to constructive long term missional projects. Wow.

  • Thanks! I'm not 100% sure how I want to create my story yet, but I'll take your advice into consideration.

    Brian Jeffrey Durham said:

    I know pretty much nothing... so... consider all advice with much prayer.

    I've come to an almost completely standstill on my current project. I've almost run dry on any good ideas except for a few small tidbits that I can't use.-- that stinks, I'm sorry

    I've also been struggling to find a drawing software I can actually use (I need to draw digitally so I can "zoom in" on smaller details to draw them in).-- okay... from what I can see with your art, you're going to want bitmap, then dip the bitmap into vector like it was chocolate sauce.  So... as the worst idea ever, though it might be the best... gimp for drawings, then import those drawings into synfig and vectorize them... not an instant learning curve... but only requires time, not money... besides the tablet hardware

    My mom suggested creating a series of regular novels with my current idea instead of a comic book series, but I'm not so thrilled with the idea.-- as a parent, I kinda lean my kid in the direction their talent is more obvious... so it sounds like your mom believes in your writing skills

    Namely because I want to appeal to people who like anime and manga as well as mystery series. I've also thought about writing the first case as an animated web series script, but then I realized I'd have to pay animators, namely because I don't have enough motor skills to create animation on my own.-- this is not true... you need to find internet art friends, be an amazingly encouraging person and very friendly, then you can get up a group through the internet to accomplish this task.  There are people that want to do this kind of thing, but they are stuck in the same problem, their talents lean one of the ten ways they need them to... if they were only more talented?  no, no, that's not the answer, the answer is patience, friendliness, faith, and finding friends that have the other 9 leanings.

    It doesn't help that I don't have anyone to talk to in person and bounce ideas off of. I'm part of a writers' critique group, but I'm the only young person and there's only one other fantasy writer.-- again... sounds like your writing might have something to it

    I've wanted to start a critique group for Christian sci-fi and fantasy authors and cartoonists in my area, but I don't know where to begin.-- and again with writing... I think I'm noticing a trend

    try http://www.trelby.org/ for your scriptwriting

    though seems to me that at some point, you'll have to decide if your better at the scripts or the story, but that might be forever away

    Any advice on anything I mentioned above? --make friends that have the other 9 leanings

    animation can be 2D or 3D...

    if 3D, ideas, sketchers, inks, colorists, modelers, uv mappers, riggers, animators

    if 2D... it's different... well, I've run out of time... it's a pleasure to meet you though.

    There's also that mysterious figure that's amazing with a paintbrush... if you can find one of them that can interpret your written ideas into painted idea characters... make friends with them... seriously... if you want animation... you want a brush person that can interpret your written ideas.  Those visual interpretations are then handed down the animation line or perhaps given to the modeler.

    Stuck in a creative rut
    I've come to an almost completely standstill on my current project. I've almost run dry on any good ideas except for a few small tidbits that I can't…
  • I know pretty much nothing... so... consider all advice with much prayer.

    I've come to an almost completely standstill on my current project. I've almost run dry on any good ideas except for a few small tidbits that I can't use.-- that stinks, I'm sorry

    I've also been struggling to find a drawing software I can actually use (I need to draw digitally so I can "zoom in" on smaller details to draw them in).-- okay... from what I can see with your art, you're going to want bitmap, then dip the bitmap into vector like it was chocolate sauce.  So... as the worst idea ever, though it might be the best... gimp for drawings, then import those drawings into synfig and vectorize them... not an instant learning curve... but only requires time, not money... besides the tablet hardware

    My mom suggested creating a series of regular novels with my current idea instead of a comic book series, but I'm not so thrilled with the idea.-- as a parent, I kinda lean my kid in the direction their talent is more obvious... so it sounds like your mom believes in your writing skills

    Namely because I want to appeal to people who like anime and manga as well as mystery series. I've also thought about writing the first case as an animated web series script, but then I realized I'd have to pay animators, namely because I don't have enough motor skills to create animation on my own.-- this is not true... you need to find internet art friends, be an amazingly encouraging person and very friendly, then you can get up a group through the internet to accomplish this task.  There are people that want to do this kind of thing, but they are stuck in the same problem, their talents lean one of the ten ways they need them to... if they were only more talented?  no, no, that's not the answer, the answer is patience, friendliness, faith, and finding friends that have the other 9 leanings.

    It doesn't help that I don't have anyone to talk to in person and bounce ideas off of. I'm part of a writers' critique group, but I'm the only young person and there's only one other fantasy writer.-- again... sounds like your writing might have something to it

    I've wanted to start a critique group for Christian sci-fi and fantasy authors and cartoonists in my area, but I don't know where to begin.-- and again with writing... I think I'm noticing a trend

    try http://www.trelby.org/ for your scriptwriting

    though seems to me that at some point, you'll have to decide if your better at the scripts or the story, but that might be forever away

    Any advice on anything I mentioned above? --make friends that have the other 9 leanings

    animation can be 2D or 3D...

    if 3D, ideas, sketchers, inks, colorists, modelers, uv mappers, riggers, animators

    if 2D... it's different... well, I've run out of time... it's a pleasure to meet you though.

    There's also that mysterious figure that's amazing with a paintbrush... if you can find one of them that can interpret your written ideas into painted idea characters... make friends with them... seriously... if you want animation... you want a brush person that can interpret your written ideas.  Those visual interpretations are then handed down the animation line or perhaps given to the modeler.

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